Signal device



July 11, 1939. R. J. l RUTHS SIGNAL DEVICE Filed July 24, 1936 Il a/ n 6 14 Q Q r 4 I4 4 1 4 4 I 4 I I 4 A 5 L 2 INVENTOR 7 fioaierdfiur/is BY W42 ATTORNEY Patented July 11,1939,

UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April so, 1928; 370 o. G. 757) My invention relates to an improved signal device and more particularly, to an improvement on the signal device of my Patent Number 1,886,- 980 granted to me November 8, 1932. While the 5 signal of my patent is an entirely operative and useful device it does, nevertheless, possess certain inherent disadvantages, to be discussed hereinafter, which it is the purpose of this improvement to eliminate.

In the signal device of my patent I produce the spot of light.rotating about the-periphery of. the signal face by causing an apertured gear to rotate relative tea light source and projecting the light beam emanating from said aperture 16 successively through a series of light channels onto the signal face, the light channels being formed by a number of spaced strips placed about the periphery of the signal face and extending therefrom to the apertured rotating gear. Since 20 the aperture in the rotating gear has a shape and size equal to the cross sectional area of each light channel at the point where the light-beam enters the same, it is evident that the light spot appearing on the signal face will have a predetermined shape and intensity whenever the aperture in the rotating gear and the opening in each light channel are in coincidence. When, however, the aperture in the rotating gear passes from a position of co-incidence with a light channel opening to its next position of coincidence with the opening of the succeeding light channel, the light beam emanating from the aperture in the gear will be divided between and projected into adjacent light channels, with the result that the light spot appearing on the signal face will progressively increase in size and diminish in intensity from the spot size and intensity produced by a co-incidence of the gear aperture and channel opening to a point where the gear aperture is approximately bisected by a channel strip and then decrease in size and increase in intensity to the light spot size and intensity obtained when the gear aperture and succeeding channel opening move into co-incidence.

i While this periodic change in spot size and ness for signal purposes is concerned. Furthermore, in connection herewith it is to be observed that the manufacture of the light channel strips and the accurate positioning of the same in my patented signal device entails considerable expense, both in labor and material, which it is g; desirable to avoid.

In my patented device the light of the rotating spot of light and the light of the colored field of light relative to which the spot of light moves are not adequately diffused in directions for- 10 wardly of the device, nor is the spot. of light intense when compared with the colored field of light so as to accentuate the same with respect thereto. This lack of adequate diffusion and intensity prevents the signal device from attainll ing a maximum of effectiveness and particularly is this true when the rotating beam of light which produces the light spot is considered. Since the rotating'beam of light is substantially without diffusion it emerges from the signal face 20 in the general direction of the light channel thru which it is being projected at any instant in its path of movement. When then the light spot reaches its highest point in its path of movement about the periphery of the vertical signal face, 25 although it can be seen by an observer it cannot be seen to the best of advantage, since the beam of light producing the light spot is directed in general away from the observer. A similar observation may be made regarding the direction 30 of the light beam producing the light spot and its viewability when the light spot reaches a point midway between its highest and lowest points in its path of movement and either to the right or left of its center point of rotation. If then under 35 these conditions an observer views the signal device from the side thereof opposed to that at which the light spot is momentarily positioned, the spot again cannot be seen to the best advantage.

Finally, thesignal device of my patent is provided with an incandescent lamp having but a single filament which if it should be rendered inoperative would result in a cessation of signaling function. It would, therefore, be highly 45 desirable if a multiple filament lamp were employed and energizing means utilized for energizing one filament to the exclusion of the other and for energizing and advising of the energization of the other of said filaments upon the first of said filaments being rendered inoperativer Such an arrangement would avoid the confusion and inconvenience attending the use of my patented signal device during critical periods when filament failure occurs and would permit a for producing a rotating and uninterrupted beam of light of predetermined and unvarying dimensions, which when projected against the signal face of said device will present to the observer a rotating, uninterruptedspot of light of substantially uniform intensity and unvarying shape throughout its cycles of movement.

Another object of my invention resides in the provision of a signal device for producing a rotating concentrated and uninterrupted beam of light of predetermined and unvarying dimensions, which when projected against the signal face of said device will present to the observer a rotating, intense, uninterrupted spot of light of substantially uniform intensity and unvarying shape throughout its cycles of movement.

A further object of my invention resides in the provision of a signal device for producing a rotating beam of light of predetermined and unvarying dimensions and incorporating means for diffusing the same, whereby to present to the observer a rotating spot of diffused light having a selected and unvarying shape.

A still further object of my invention resides in the provision of a signal device for producing a rotating beam of light of predetermined and unvarying dimensions and for producing a colored field of light changing in color at the completion of each cycle of movement of said rotating beam of light, the said signal device incorporating means for diffusing the said beam of light and the light of said colored field of light, whereby to present to the observer a rotating spot of diffused light of unvarying and selected shape moving relative to a field of diffused colored light.

A still further object of my invention resides in the provision of a signal device for producing a rotating, concentrated beam of light of predetermined and unvarying dimensions and for producing a colored field of light changing in color at the completion of each cycle of movement of said rotating beam of light, the said signal device incorporating means for diffusing the said beam of light and the light of said colored field of light, whereby to present to the observer a rotating spot of diffused, intense light of unvarying and selected shape moving relative to a field of tion when considered in connection with the acdiffused colored light and accentuated with respect thereto.

Another object of my invention resides in the provision of a signal device for producing a rotating beam of light wherein continuity of operation is insured by employing a multiple filament lamp and energizing means therefor such that one filament is energized to the exclusion of the other and the other is energized and the energization thereof made apparent upon the first named filament being rendered inoperative.

These and other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following descripcompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. l is an enlarged cross sectional view of Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in side. elevation of the rotatable gear carrying a lens for cooperation with the source of illumination whereby to produce the rotating beam of light; v

Fig. 3 is a view in cross section of my improved signal device;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the outer face lens;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inner face lens; and

Fig. 6 shows schematically the circuit arrangement used in connection with the multiple filament lamp of the signal device.

Turning now to Fig. 3 of the drawing there is shown therein a multiple filament lamp I mounted adjacent to a rotatable member identified in general by the reference character 2. The rotatable member comprises an annular gear 3 provided at the periphery with gear teeth 4, having secured thereto the truncated conical like member 5, which in turn is secured to the apertured flanged member 6. The rotatable member 2 comprised of the aforementioned parts is mounted for rotary movement upon the plate I, which is rigidly secured to the stationery inner wall structure 8 by means of the straps 9 and suitable fastening means It]. Each of the supporting straps 9 passes thru a suitable aperture provided in the outer reflector II, which likewise is secured to the inner stationary wall structure 8 and extends therefrom into engagement with the outer wall structure l2 and is held in place there by suitable securing means l3. The truncated conical like member 5 and the flanged apertured member 6 serve as a support for a reflector N, which has a central aperture coincident with that of the flanged member 6 and is provided at the periphery with the cut out portion IS in alignment with a lens l6 carried by the annular gear 3 and adjacent an aperture l1 therein.

The purpose of the lens 16 is to produce in conjunction with the source of illumination l, a beam of light l8 of predetermined and unvarying dimensions for projection against the face lenses l9 and 20. The lens 16 as shown. is also designed to gather in a large area of light 2| and concentrate the same in the direction of the beam rotation so as to produce an intense and concentrated spot of light upon the face lenses. In order to accomplish the foregoing the lens as shown is provided with a' suitable curvature on the incident side thereof, which depends upon the index of refraction of the material used, and with a plain or a flat surface on the emergent side thereof. It will be observed that the lens I6 is substantially trapeziform in shape so as to produce a spot of light which is substantially trapeziform in shape. While I have shown the lens 16 designed so as to produce a beam of light It concentrated in the direction of rotation of the beam of light and a lens [6 substantially trapeziform in shape, I do not desire to be limited to this specific structure, since within the purview of my invention the lens need not be of a concentrating type nor of a trapeziform shape, but may be constructed to produce a light spot on the face lens of any other desired shape and intensity.

It is thus seen that the rotatable member 2 carrying the lens l6 and cooperating with the source of illumination l produces a rotating beam of light [8 of predetermined and unvarying dimensions, which is projected against the inner surface of the inner face lens l9. It is the function of the inner face lens Hi to refract the -angle of 22 which is theangle of refraction prerotatable beam of light lmplnsin: thereupon is.

a direction which is substantially parallel to s the longitudinal axis LA of the signal device and the function-of the outer face lens 2| to refract the refracted beam of light emerging from the v inner face lens I! into an optimum of multiplicity ofdirections when' the refracted rotating A. beam of light is incident upon the inner surface of the outer face lens 26 in its direction of emergence from the inner face lens ll. Thus the inner and'outer face lenses II and", in so far I J as the rotating beam of light isconcerned, coop- .face lens I! may be obtained by reference to Fig. 1 of the drawing. which shows a portion of the pair of adjacent face lenses I! and 2! upon 1 crate-to produce a spot of widely diffused light .which can be effectively and easily viewed by an observer from a wide range of positions.

An understanding of the design'of the inner which a portion ll of the rotating beam of light It impinges and the. path taken by the beam portion it due to the refraction thereof by the i said lenses.

which. is constant for a given material. Both the angles of incidence and refraction are measured from the normal N to the face of the lens.

I have chosen the index of refraction for the material of the face lens I! as 1.6, it being apparent however, that a material having any other index of refraction may be used if desired. Since the beam portion l8 impinges upon the surface 22 of the face lens is at an angle of 37 with respect to the normal thereto and the index of refraction of the material is choosen as 1.6, the angle of refraction is computed as follows:

sin r= 0.377;

- of light l8 entering the face lens I! is bent to an angle of 22 with a; normal to the inner surface. A portion of the outer face of the lens I9 is cut at the complement-of the angle of refraction, namely, 68, so as to insure that all the rays will pass thru the lens parallel thereto and reach the other side 23 of the outemsurface 1 thereof; If now the beam of light I. within the lens I! is to emerge from the face 22 thereof parallel to the longitudinal axis LA of the signal device, it must satisfy two conditions. First, the sine of the angle which the emergent beam makes with the normal to the face 23 divided by the sine of the angle which the beam of light within the lens makes with this normal to the surface 23 must be equal to theindex of refraction of the material. Secondly, the angle which the'emergent beam makes with the normal to the surface 23 of the lens minus the angle which the beam of light within the lens makes with this normal to the surface 22 must be equal to the viously computed. Stating the aforementioned conditions mathematically the following equation is obtained: I

sin i n sin (f -22?);

11' 22 1 (n :3":2 2"' 1$ 1= ri wherein ii is the angle which the emergent beam of rays makes with a normal to'the surface 23 of the lens '18. Since the angle of 51 formed by the emergent beam and the normal to the sur-- 'face '23 has its sides mutually. perpendicular to the vertical line 24 and the surface 23, it is apparent that the angle between the vertical 2'4 and the surface 28 of the lens lflmust also be 51.

dent upon the surface 22 thereof will be' refracted by the lens into a direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis LA of the'signal device. The other emergent faces of the lens I! are designedin a similar fashion, slightly varying angles of incidence, however, being taken to account for the varying angles at which the various portions .of the beam of light l8 strike the inner face of the lens ill.

the index of refraction assumed in the calculations are merely illustrative of the design .of the lens 19 and I do not desire to be restricted thereto, since any angle of incidence and my index of refraction may be chosen within the purview vof my invention,.so long as the lens is is designed to refract the incident beam of light thereon into'a direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the signal device.

The outer face lens serves not only as a refracting means for the rotating beam of light I8 but also as a refracting means for the light" of the colored field of light to be discussed here-' inaf'ter. This lens has a plain outer surface 25 and has the inner face thereof, upon which the light is incident, provided with a number of protuberant portions or facets 26 of such surface contour that for a given index of refraction each of these protuberant portions or facets will refract any light which is incident thereupon in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the signal device into an optimum multiplicity of directions. Thus the lens 20 is designed to refract rays which are incident thereupon in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the signal device into all directions up to slightly less than 90 from a normal to the outer surface of the lens,'thereby permitting the observer to view the signal from a wide range of positions.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing there are shown the paths which the various rays of the beam l8 emerging from the lens l9 take in a portion of the lens 20 when incident upon a facet 26 thereof. Thus a ray of the beam l8 incident upon the lower portion of the facet 26 will emerge from the face of the lens 20 at an angle of 85 to the normal at the outer surface when the facet is designed as shown and the index of refraction of the lens material is 1.6. Rays of light of the beam l8 incident upon portions of the facet 26 intermediate the point previously mentioned and the apex ofsaid facet will be refracted upon- Thus the portion of the lens i9 shown in Fig. 1 of .thedrawing is designed with an index of refraction of 1.6 so that a poffion IQ of the beam l8 inci- T foregoing values of the angle of incidence and emerging from the face to the lens in directions at the completion of each cycle of movement of intermediate the normal to the surface 26 of this the annular gearmember I and hence at the com- I lens and the direction taken by the ray of light pletion of each cycle of movement of the rotating with which it is integral.

at an angle of 85 to the'normal. Any ray of light striking the apex of the facet will pass directly thru the lens without refraction. As illustrative butnot restrictive of the dimensions the facets of the lens 29 may assume the following: If a face lens 20 has an index of refraction of 1.6 and a diameter of 9%", the base with which the facets are integral will have a thickness of 3& of an inch and the facets a height of of an inch. The curvature of the facet will then be f; of an inch with the center of curvature at the line of intersection of the facet with the base Thus the face lens 20 is designed to refract any light incident thereupon into an optimum of multiplicity of directions when the light is incident thereupon in a direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the signal device. Being thus designed it provides a light which is well diflused and viewable from a wide range of positions.

The light from the source of illumination I also passes into the aperture of the flanged member 6 thru a color filter 21 and diverging lens 28 to the face lenses I9 and 26 previously described whereby to provide a colored field of light over themtire signal faceand relative to which the light spot moves. The color filter 21 is bi-colored, preferably red and green, and is mounted on the fixed plate I by means of the pin 28' for swinging movement. To the lower portion of the frame of the color filter 21 there is secured a pin 29 to which is fastened the spring 30, having its other end secured to a second pin 38 carried by'a key plate member I. The inner portion of the annular gear member 3 is provided with a segmental rack which is adapted to engage a portion of the teeth of the interrupted gear 36 once in each revolution, to thereby cause the interrupted gear 36 to turn thru a half of a revolution and thus move the pin integral therewith from one position to a diametrically opposed position.

The color filter 21 is operated in the following manner so as to cause the same to be shifted each time the annular gear member 3 completes a revolution of movement. At a point in advance of the completion of one cycle of movement of the annular gear member 3 the segmental rack engages a portion of the teeth of the interrupted gear 36 and causes the same to complete a half of a revolution, thereby moving the pin 35 integral therewith from its position of rest to a position diametrically opposed. Since the pin 35 rides in the slot 34 of the key like member 32, the key like member will be caused to rotate about its pivotal point of support and carry with it the end of the spring 30 secured to the pin 3| .to a position which is past the pivotal point of support 28' of the color filter 21, and thus cause the color filter to move from its position of rest to a second position of rest and project a different colored portion thereof into the path of the light emanating from the source of illumination I. It is therefore apparent that the colored field of light is changed in color beam of'light I8. The mechanismor means for shifting the color filter 21 at the completion of .leach cycle of movement of the rotatable member 2 face presents a colored field of light relative to which the spot of light heretofore described moves. This concavo-convex lens 28 may have any suitable curvatures of the faces and any desired index of refraction so long as it will accomplish the desired results previously set forth. The lens 26 as shown is supported by an inner reflector 38 which in turn is held in position by means of supporting brackets 39 secured to the inner surface of the outer reflector I I. The function of the inner reflector 38 is to intercept rays of colored light reflected rearwardly by the face lens 20 and for redirecting the same against this lens.

It is to be observedthat the outer face lens 20 serves also to refract the light of the colored field of light incident thereupon but only in an optimum multiplicity of directionswhen the light is incident thereupon in a direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the signal device. It is thus seen that there is provided a diffused field of colored light relative to which the spot of diffused light previously described moves and changing in color at the completion of each cycle of movement of the said spot.

In order to assure the maximum dependability of my signal device I have chosen a multiple filament lamp for the source of illumination I and have employed a means for energizing the said lamp such that one filament is energized to the exclusion of the other and the other filament is energized and the energization thereof made apparent when the first filament is rendered inop erative. I have shown in Fig. 6 the incandescent lamp I provided with a main filament 40 and an auxiliary filament M. The current mains leading from the source of alternating current are shown at 42 and are adapted to be connected to the primary 43 of a step-down transformer 44 thru a double pole switch 45 and fuses 46. A conductor 41 connects one side of the secondary 48 of the transformer 44 to a common terminal 49 of the lamp filaments 40, 4|. The current from the point 49 fiows thru the filament 49 to the solev noid 59 and back to the other side of the trans- ,fiows thru the conductor 41, terminal point 49,

filament 40 and solenoid to the other side of the transformer secondary to thereby energize the filament 46 and the solenoid 50. The energization of the solenoid 50 causes the movable In order to accomplish the foregoing contact 5| to move out of an engagement with the stationary contact 52 andthus leave the filament 4|. In order to advise of the energization of this auxiliary filament 4| I have placed in parallel with this filament a lamp 53 which is rated at a higher voltage than the multiple filament lamp I so as to indicate by a subdued light the'failure of the filament 40. The lamp 53 may be mounted in any convenient place so as to be easily visible by a repair man. It may, if desired, be mounted in the outer wall structure I2.

The complete unit to the left of the source of illumination I shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing is duplicated at the right thereof as evidenced by the fragmentary showing, thus making reflector I4 available for use with the source I to cause any rays reflected therefrom to pass thru the aperture in the flanged member 6. A unit may also be placed on each side of the plane of the paper if desired. If four complete units are employed the four annular gear members 3 are positioned in intermeshing relation and operated in timed relation by an electric motor thru suitable gearing as shown in my Patent 1,886,980, granted to me November 8, 1932. If, on the other hand, only one or two units are employed the annular gear or gears may be driven by any suitable means known tothe prior art.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have set forth the principle and mode of operation of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embqdiinent However, I desire to have the rotating beam of light incident thereupon into a direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the signal device and the second of which is designed to retract the refracted beam so that it will emerge therefrom in an optimum multiplicity of directions when the refracted beam is incident upon the second of said refracting means in the direction of its emergence from the first of said refracting means.

2. A signal device comprising in combination a source of illumination, rotatable means including a lens adjacent the source of illumination and cooperating therewith to produce a rotating beam of light of predetermined and unvarying dimensions extending at an angle to the-longitudinal axis of the signal device and means for diflusing the said beam of light whereby to present to the observer a rotating spot of diffused light having a selected and unvarying shape, said second mentioned means including a pair of adjacent refracting means, the first of which is designed to refract the rotating beam of light in-, cident thereupon into a direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the signal device and the second of which is designed to refract the refracted beam so that it will emerge therefrom in an optimum multiplicity of directions when the refracted beam is incident upon the second of said refracting means in the direction of its emergence from the first of said refracting means.

' 3. A signal device comprising in combination means for producing a rotating beam of light of predetermined and unvarying dimensions extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the signal device and means for diffusing the said beam of light whereby to present to t l'ie observer a. rotating spot of diffused. light having a selected and unvarying shape, said last mentioned means including a member for retracting the rotating it understood that within thescdpe of -the,ap-/beam-of lightll ci dent thereupon into a direcpended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

This invention may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without payment of royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim:

1. A signal devicecomprising in combination means for producing a rotating beam of light of predetermined and unvarying dimensions extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the signal device and means for diffusing the said beam of light whereby to present to the observer arotating spot of diflused light having a selected and unvarying shape, said second mentioned means including a pair of adjacent refracting means, the first of which is designed'to retract tion which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the signal device.

4. A signal device comprising in combination means for producing a rotating beam of light of predetermined and unvarying dimensions extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the signal device and means for diffusing the said beam of light whereby to present to the observer a rotating spot of diffused light having a selected and unvarying shape, said last mentioned means including an annular member for refracting the rotating beam of light incident thereupon into a direction whichds substantial ly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the signal device"andafaceted member for retracting the light emerging iii.)

from the first mentioned member into substantially all directions forwardly of the device.

' ROBERT J. RU'I'HS. 

